James Mortimer - (22/11/2011)
While 1981 may be remembered in New Zealand rugby history for the controversial Springbok tour, that year also saw an intriguing test series in France, where there may have been thoughts of revenge from the All Blacks camp. Only four years earlier the All Blacks had made their first full tour of France, fresh off a 3-1 series success against the British and Irish Lions.
The hosts won the first test 18-13 in Toulouse, but the All Blacks, already with a brilliant record in French territory, were able to square the series with a 15-3 win in Paris.
Over the coming years the All Blacks legacy continued to grow.
In 1978 New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for the 12th time, a dominating 28-year period of success that still stands as the most successful trans-Tasman run in history.
Later that year All Blacks captain Graham Mourie would lead his team to New Zealand’s first ever touring Grand Slam over the Home Nations.
At the time the achievement was as significant as a World Cup win, so when France arrived in 1979 for their first full tour, New Zealand rugby was in great shape, and this was in evidence as they won the first test 23-9 in Christchurch.
However the second test at Eden Park saw France win 24-19 on Bastille Day, giving Les Bleus their first win on New Zealand soil over the All Blacks.
To put the victory into perspective, only two teams (Australia in 1985 and France again in 1994) have won since at the venue where the All Blacks have won two World Cups.
When the All Blacks left New Zealand for their second tour of France in 1981, not only was their the case of avenging their Eden Park defeat in their most recent clash with Les Bleus – but Mourie’s troops had just lost the Bledisloe Cup.
They were in need of something to revive spirits, but the challenge would be formidable.
France had claimed the 1981 Five Nations title, sweeping all before them to win the Grand Slam.
The late Jacques Fouroux, who in 1977 actually captained France against the All Blacks, became coach of his national team prior to the Five Nations and immediately the “Little Corporal” made an impression on Les Bleus.
Basing their power around a giant pack, yet intertwined with the classical backline brilliance that made France a world power, the All Blacks arrived with an immense challenge.
Mourie would bring Andy Dalton, Murray Mexted and Gary Whetton to combat the French forwards, and would narrowly pip the first contest 13-9 at Stade Toulouse, in a match that would typify the cliché of a rugby arm wrestle.
The second test would see the All Blacks flex their muscles with their prowess out wide, with Stu Wilson crossing for a try, while reliable Lower Hutt born fullback Allan Hewson would kick over two conversions and two penalties as New Zealand won 18-6 in Paris – winning a test series in France for the first time.
Both nations would dominate for the next several years, with the All Blacks regaining the Bledisloe Cup in 1982, beating the Lions 4-0 in 1983, and altogether winning 31 of 40 tests right up till and including the inaugural World Cup.
France would win the Five Nations again in 1983 and 1986 (sharing the title with Ireland and Scotland respectively) and would approach the first World Cup as one of the favourites, not only recording a Grand Slam that year, but beating the All Blacks 16-3 in Nantes prior to the global tournament.
Each side proved their status as the strongest Southern and Northern power of the eighties by meeting in the World Cup final, but the All Blacks would prove too strong, winning 29-9.
